Method of preventing deep vein thrombosis caused by long airplane travels

ABSTRACT

A method of preventing deep vein thrombosis of airline passengers has the steps of retaining a passenger in a sitting position on an airplane seat, providing a stretching element which is substantially immovable relative to the airplane seat, engaging the immovable stretchable element by a passengers arm or leg, stretching the stretchable element by the passenger&#39;s arm or leg so as to provide exercising of the passenger&#39;s arm or leg in the position while the passenger sits on the airplane seat and his arm and/or leg overcomes a resistance of the stretching element, thus causing a forced exercising of the arm improve blood circulation and prevent a blood clot formation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to method of preventing deep vein thrombosis caused by long airplane travels, or a so-called “economy class syndrome”.

[0002] It has been determined that during long airplane travels, due to the movable position of the passengers in airplane seats, blood clots can form in limbs, for example in legs and/or arms, and travel to lungs, so that this can cause corresponding sicknesses and sometimes death. The deep thrombosis which is caused in this situation has been called “economy class syndrome”. Airlines reacted to the new findings and suggested that passengers walk during long travels in the airplane. However, it is to be understood that the walks of the passengers in the airplanes are strictly limited, since hundreds of passengers can not freely walk in the airplane during flight numerous times. Some airplanes produced videos urging the passengers to move their arms and legs when they sit in the airplane seats. However, such movements, even if made by passengers are chaotic they fire not accompanied by certain application of stresses to the passengers legs and arms which are prerequisite for actual exercising to overcome. It is believed to be clear that there is the need for more efficient methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Accordingly, it is an object of present invention to provide a method for preventing deep vein thrombosis which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0004] In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, in a method of preventing of deep vein thrombosis of airline passengers, comprising the steps of retaining a passenger in a sitting position on an airplane seat, providing a stretching element which is substantially immovable relative to the airplane seat; engaging the immovable stretchable element by a passenger's arm or leg in a space between airplane seats; and stretching the stretchable element by the passenger's arm or leg so as to provide an exercising of the passenger's arm or leg in the position while the passenger sits on the airplane seat and his arm and/or leg overcomes a resistance of the stretchable element, thus causing a forced exercising the arm or the leg to improve blood clot circulation and prevent blood formation.

[0005] When the method is performed in accordance with the present Invention, then the passenger, while sitting in his chair, exercising his arm or leg by a stretching a stretchable element immovably held relative to the passenger seat, so as to overcome the resistance of the stretchable element and to provide an efficient blood circulation in the arm or the leg, for preventing clot formation and therefore deep vein thrombosis. Space the stretching of the stretchable element is performed in a spaces between the seats, the other passengers are not disturbed and it is not necessary to walk in the airplane.

[0006] The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects find advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The single FIGURE of the drawings is a view illustrating a method for preventing deep vein thrombosis, in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] As can be seen from FIG. 1, an airplane passenger is identified with reference numeral 1. He sits on an airplane chair which is identified with reference numeral 2. In accordance with the present invention, at least one stretchable element is arranged so that it is immovable relative to the airplane seat 1. The at least one stretchable element in this embodiment identified with reference numeral 3 is a part of a device which is identified as a whole with reference numeral 4. In order to hold the stretchable element immovably, the passenger 2 simply sits on the device 4 so that it can not move, being clamped between his body and the airplane chair 1. The passenger 2 engages the exercising element with its leg or arm and stretches the stretchable element 3 in a space between the seats so as to overcome its resistance. By stretching the stretchable element 3 and overcoming its resistance, a blood circulation in the arm is leg or substantially improved, and a clot formation in the blood is reliably prevented. Thereby, a deep vein thrombosis or so-called economy class syndrome can be prevented.

[0009] As shown in the drawings, the device 4 have two stretchable element 3 and 3′ which can be engaged by both legs of the passenger 2. Therefore, the passenger can exercise his both legs. The device 4 further has two further stretchable elements 3″ and 3′″, which can be engaged by arms of the passenger 2, so that the passenger can also exercise his arms. The exercising performed with a stretchable element 3-3′″ always involves overcoming the resistance of the stretching element, to provide a forced exercising and improve blood circulation.

[0010] As can be seen from the drawings, the stretchable elements 3-3′″ are formed so that the exercising can be performed within a space between the airplane chair in the passenger 2 sits and another airplane chair located in front of him. For this purpose, the stretching elements must have a corresponding limited length. Also, the stretchable element must be short so as not to reach a passenger who sits in a neighboring chair. For engaging the stretchable element, they can be provided at free ends with corresponding handles or engaging elements.

[0011] The stretchable element can be attached to the airplane chair by a fixing element 11 also. The stretchable element can be also attached to a safety belt 12. It can be also attached to another immovable part of the airplane.

[0012] It is to be understood that the device 4 can be also attached to the airplane chair 1 by corresponding attaching means, so that the passenger does not have to hold the device 4 by the weight of his body.

[0013] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of methods and constructions differing from the types described above.

[0014] While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in method of prevent deep vein thrombosis caused by long airplane travels, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

[0015] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

[0016] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A method of preventing deep vein thrombosis of airline passengers, comprising the steps of retaining a passenger in a sitting position on an airplane seat, providing a stretching element which is substantially immovable relative to the airplane seat engaging the immovable stretchable element by a passengers arm or leg, stretching the stretchable element by the passenger's arm or leg so as to provide exercising of the passenger's arm or leg in the position while the passenger sits on the airplane seat and his arm and/or leg overcomes a resistance of the stretching element, thus causing a forced exercising of the arm improve blood circulation and prevent a blood clot formation.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising holding the stretchable element immovably relative to the passenger seat by applying a body weight of the passenger to at least a part of the stretching element.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising the step of holding the stretchable element movably relative to the passenger seat by connecting the stretchable element to the passenger seat.
 4. A method as defined in claim 3; and further comprising the step of holding the stretchable element movably relative to the passenger seat by connecting the stretchable element to the passenger seat belt.
 5. A method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising stretching the stretchable element only to such a distance which is allowed by the space between the passenger seat and a seat of another passenger located in front of the first passenger.
 6. A method as defined in claim 5; and further comprising stretching the stretchable element only to such a distance which is allowed by the space between the passenger seat and a seat of another passenger located in front of the first passenger, and so as not to disturb a passenger who sits in a neighboring seat. 